Doctor insights on:
Posterior Cervical Lymph Nodes

1

Not neccessarily:
Ultrasonography itself cannot distinguish benign from malignant lesions, but an
echographic appearance suggests malignancy and helps in the selection of the node to aspirate with
ultrasonographically guided fnab, which is crucial for a final diagnosis.
You need to have the node sampled with a needle to know if it is benign or otherwise. Talk to your physician.
...Read more

2

It depends.:
Sometimes these, and other nodes are palpable because of infection. Sometimes cancer can do it. Rock hard nodes would more likely mean cancer, while soft, painful ones would point to infection.
...Read more

3

Usual:
There are many there.
If tender, relates to some inflammation in the area, or sometimes a viral illness like mono.
If non tender and enlarging , some other concerns.
Supraclavicular can relate to pulmonary or intra thoracic issue.
See your pcp and perhaps some x-rays and occasionally even a biopsy if indicated.
...Read more

5

It's not THAT big:
"Enlarged" is a matter of opinion. Any why do you ask? Unless you feel obviously sick, or a lymph node in your neck is rock-hard, fixed to surronding structures that it shouldn't be, or oversized enough for everybody to notice, it's your friend. It's helping you stay healthy. Leave it alone and stop worrying. I'm had a 1.5 cm submental node since med school.
...Read more

7

Could be many?:
Swollen lymph nodes could indicate an infection by bacteria, virus or fungus. It could mean infiltration by tumor. The significance would be determined by your clinical presentatiion. Older patient? Younger patinet? Known acute illness? Known or unknown cancer? The lymph nodes above the clavicles drain/filter the head and neck. If this is new i would get checked. If old, ?. See md.
...Read more

9

Less echogenic:
Meaning that the node will generate fewer internal echoes suggesting edema or loss of normal architecture of the node. The finding in and of itself is non specific and could suggest inflammation, infection, or tumor.
...Read more

12

Monitoring Centers:
Lymphatic system absorbs/carries things too big to go into the arteries/veins like bacteria eaten by white cells and digested food. Lymph nodes "taste" the lymph for anything bad like bacteria/viruses/cancers, etc. When it detects a problem, it alerts the immune system and your body reacts. They enlarge in response to the inflammation they create when they react. They shrink when all is well.
...Read more

13

Reactive=monitoring:
Lymphatic system absorbs/carries things too big to go into the arteries/veins like bacteria eaten by white cells and digested food. Lymph nodes "taste" the lymph for anything bad like bacteria/viruses/cancers, etc. When it detects a problem, it alerts the immune system and your body reacts. They enlarge in response to the inflammation they create when they react. They shrink when all is well.
...Read more

14

No:
A schmorl's node is basically a weakness in the endplate of a vertebra through which disc material is displaced into the vertebral body. The term "node" is misleading and has nothing to do with cancer. Schmorl's nodes are very common, usually asymptomatic but can be a source of pain if they are acute.
...Read more

15

Monitoring Centers:
Lymphatic system absorbs/carries things too big to go into the arteries/veins like bacteria eaten by white cells and digested food. Lymph nodes "taste" the lymph for anything bad like bacteria/viruses/cancers, etc. When it detects a problem, it alerts the immune system and your body reacts. They enlarge in response to the inflammation they create when they react. They shrink when all is well.
...Read more

16

Submental ?:
Lymphatic system absorbs/carries things too big to go into the arteries/veins like bacteria eaten by white cells and digested food. Lymph nodes "taste" the lymph for anything bad like bacteria/viruses/cancers, etc. When it detects a problem, it alerts the immune system and your body reacts. They enlarge in response to the inflammation they create when they react. They shrink when all is well.
...Read more

17

No:
However, if you tend to be over-anxious and you're a young adult, you'll start noticing the lymph nodes that everybody has in their necks. A dangerous node is obviously very abnormal clinically. You need to learn to ignore the ones that aren't fixed to surrounding structures, stony-hard / tire-rubber hard, and not deforming. Please talk with your physician about overcoming these kinds of fear
...Read more

18

Uncommon:
Most enlarged lymph nodes are due to a response to an infection such as a viral or bacterial infection. The exception would be a drug rash called "serum sickness" where there is fever, swollen lymph nodes, hive-like rash and joint symptoms. Other more serious causes can result in swollen lymph nodes such as tumors like lymphoma.
...Read more

20

R/O OSA:
OSA CAN BE LIFE THREATENING. The definitive test is a PSG with split night/CPAP titration. I would request copy of sleep study and get a second opinion if you are not satisfied with the options. You are young CPAP can be difficult to tolerate. ENT FOR UPP EVAL.VS HYPID SUSPENSION. PERSISTENT LYMPHADENOPATHY DEMANDS BX. If BX is - YOU NEED A RADICAL NECK DISSECTION to R/O LYMPHOMA .
...Read more